FROM the look of what yesterday's rain did to Big Brother winner Tim Dormer's frizzy mane of hair, Australia Zoo tiger cubs Hunter and Clarence could have been forgiven for thinking staff had bought them their own lion-like toy as a first birthday present.

Thankfully, milk ice blocks, balloons and pinatas diverted attention away from the exuberant Tim, named a Wildlife Warrior ambassador, who will soon travel to the north Queensland bush with the Irwins on a crocodile research trip.

"I'm thrilled to be part of this special day," Tim, who is now working in radio in Sydney, said.

"This global ambassador role is such a privilege. I grew up loving animals. I was the kid running around catching bugs, studying them and then releasing them.

"I am part-way through a science degree in biodiversity and conservation and now I'm able to inspire other younger people to care for the world we live in and the animals we share it with."

Hunter and Clarence are poster cats for the zoo's Sumatran tiger conservation program, the first to be born at the Beerwah attraction.

"It's crazy for us," Bindi said. "Two seconds ago they were these teeny tiny little fluffy babies, now they're a bit like teenagers.

PARTY TIME: An animal handler, Bindi Irwin and Tim Dormer with tiger cub Clarence who turned 1 with his brother Hunter.Nicola Brander

"We are proud at Australia Zoo that we are number one in the world for tiger conservation. Everything we do is to help tigers and educate people so they can fall in love with animals, because when you love an animal, you want to protect it - that's what my dad used to say."

Tiger keeper Geoff Neubecker said British audiences who saw a recent BBC documentary on the cats had ventured Down Under to see them, and in-person meet-and-greets had continued to fund conservation programs.

The boys weigh 70kg and will tip the scales at about 130kg when fully grown. There have been three tiger incidents at the zoo since November, which injured trainers Dave Styles last year and Mark Turner in July.

"Mark is doing really well, he's fine. I saw him the other night and he's going really good. He is coming back to work very soon," Mr Neubecker said.